Match-scratcher



J. E. HIGH.

MATCH SCRATCHER. APPLICATION ,FILED MAR. HI 1918.

1,338,920. Patented May 4, 1920.

JOHN E. HIGH, GREAT FALLS, MONTANA.

MATCH-SCRATCHER.

- To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, JOHN E. HIGH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Great Falls, in the county of Cascade, State of Montana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Match-Scratchers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This i vention relates to match scratchers.

One object of the invention is to provide a match scratching device which may be conveniently carried upon an article of clothing, as upon the inside of an overcoat or sack coat, or upon a lapel, it being the intention to provide such a device which may be not only handily carried, but will also protect the material of the article of apparel upon which the device is secured from coming into contact with the head of the match as it is lighted, or with flying particles of the head.

Another object of the invention is to produce a device of this character whose flange not only protects the clothing but may also be used as a wind-guard for the flame of the match until its stick is well ignited.

lVith the above objects in view, and such others relating to the details of construction, as may hereinafter appear, my invention will now be fully set forth and described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of one form of the invention,

Fig. 2 is a vertical section therethrough,

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of another form of the invention,

Fig. at is a transverse section therethrough,

Fig. 5' is a perspective view of still another form of match scratcher,

Fig. 6 is a transverse section therethrough, and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a still further modification of the invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1 represents a plate which is stamped from a metal sheet and preferably formed at a single operation with an upturned flange E2, the material of the plate, in the formation of the flange 2 being preferably turned out wardly and then rolled rearwardly upon itself into a head to provide a wall of suit- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 4, 1920.

Application filed. March 11, 1918. Serial No. 221,807.

able strength and also to avoid the appearance of a raw edge at the top of the flange. The plate 1 is elongated and is furthermore slightly are shaped, so that when a match is struck across the abrading surface 3, which is preferably formed by stamping corrugations into the bottom of the plate 1, the stroke will follow generally an arcuate path. Thus, when a match is drawn along the plate, and its direction, instead of being in a direct line, will incline more or less toward one end or the other of the plate, the match head, atthe end of the stroke, instead of passing off of the plate onto the cloth of the coat, will be checked and diverted by the flange 2. Furthermore, the flange prevents the flying of any particles of the inflammable material which forms the match head. The wall around the margin of the plate gives the device a cupped shaped so that the initial flame is protected from the wind until it has had time to ignite the stick. Thus it will be seen that the wall has a three-fold function. Preferably, I provide a stickpin 4 solderedto the back of the plate 1 as a means for attaching the device to a garment in quickly removable relation though any other characteristic fastening device may be employed.

In the second form of the device, as eX- emplified in Figs. 3 and 4, the plate 5 is constructed in substantially the same manner as the plate 1, including the flange 6, but in this case the plate is reversed, so that the dished side comes innermost and the pin 7 is secured to the inside of the dished portion of the plate. Then, when the plate is secured to a garment, the goods will become crowded into the dished portion of the plate, and the latter will as a consequence more closely hug the garment and thereby be less liable to be in the way or be lost. This form of the device, also, has an abrading surface 8, which, as in the other form, is preferably formed by corrugating the plate body.

In the form of the device shown in Figs. 5 and 6, two plates 9 and 10 formed of practically identical contour, are cupped one within the other, and the front plate 10 is provided with an elongated opening or window 11 which exposes a strip of material 12 which has an abrading surface to which access is gained through the opening. A pin 13 secured to the back of the back plate 9 provides a fastening device for the scratcher.

In the form of the device shown in Fig. 7,

backing and face plates 9 and 10 respectively are provided, similar to the plates 9 and 10 of the form shown in Fig. 5, and a pin 13 is secured to one end of the rear face of the backing plate 9, and extending longitudinally of said plate in the manner of an ordinary brooch, pin. To provide a keeper for the pointed end of this pin, a pair of transverse parallel slits are formed in the other end of the base plate 9 and have adjacent ends convergent to define a tongue 15 which is struck outwardly from the plate and bent in hook shape to engage the pin 13 in its bight.

It will be apparent from the'foregoing description that there has been provided a convenient and practical match scratching device which is of considerable value to smokers and others who find it necessary to light a match in the wind or at any time when in the open, since the device may be pinned to the inside of the coat in conveniently' accessible position so that the flame of the lighted match may be guarded until the wood has become ignited, and at the same time, the material of the coat and other apparel directly adjacent the scratching device is guarded against harm.

It is further noted that the portion of the scratching face of the device which is not occupied by a roughened match engaging surface may be employed to display the owners name, or to bear suitable advertising matter in the manner of ordinary novelty articles. Such inscription may be stamped in the metal of the device, or may be applied in any other manner.

What I claim as my invention is p 1. A match striker comprising 'a back plate having a peripheral upstanding flange projecting from and at right angles to the plane of said plate, the flange following parallel curves along the upper and lower edges of the plate and defining an arcuate path, attaching means on the back of the plate, a front plate of a size to fit frictionally within the flange of the back plate, the front plate having an elongated opening and an abrading member clamped between the plates and a portion of it exposed through the opening of the second plate, for the purpose set forth.

2. A 'match striker comprising a back plate having a peripheral upstanding flange,

an abrading surface 011 the face of said plate, attaching means on-the back of the plate, and a front plate similarly flanged and ofa size to fit frictionally' within the flange of the back plate, the front plate having an elongated opening exposinga por-- tion of said surface for the purpose set forth. V

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

. 7 JOHN E. HIGH. Witnesses: V

E. H. GEIGER, R. J. MoDERMoND. P 

